Besi

nature-spirit · Chad · Central Africa

A besi is a spirit immanent in, symbolized by, and named after a natural object, especially a tree, or a social activity such as initiation. The plural, besigi, interfere in people lives by bringing misfortune; some are not powerful, while others can influence entire clans or villages. A besi is owned by a religious specialist who sacrifices on its behalf, and illness is diagnosed by divination to identify the attacking spirit.

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